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Alexander Zverev finally ended his Grand Slam wait at Roland Garros, saying the biggest reward is knowing he’ll forever be remembered as a major champion.
Alexander Zverev finally got his hands on a Grand Slam title (AP)
After years of heartbreak, near-misses and relentless scrutiny, Alexander Zverev finally has the one thing that can never be taken away from him: a Grand Slam title.
The German star ended his long wait for major success on Sunday, defeating Flavio Cobolli in the French Open final to lift his maiden Grand Slam trophy at Roland Garros.
But beyond the title itself, it was what the victory represented that resonated most deeply with the 29-year-old.
For more than a decade, Zverev had been regarded as one of the most talented players on tour without a major title to show for it. He came agonisingly close at the 2020 US Open, surrendering a two-set lead against Dominic Thiem in the final. Two more Grand Slam final defeats followed, leaving questions over whether tennis’ biggest prize would forever remain out of reach.
Now, those doubts are gone.
Reflecting on the moment he realised he had finally done it, Zverev admitted the reality took a few seconds to sink in.
“First of all, I didn’t believe that I won. Then I saw my box, and they all were celebrating. That’s when I realised that I’ve won. Especially seeing my father raise up his arms, that was when it kind of hit me, ‘Okay, I won’.”
The emotions poured out almost instantly. Roland Garros has been a venue of both triumph and trauma for Zverev. It was here that he suffered the devastating ankle injury against Rafael Nadal in 2022, and it was also where he fell short in a previous French Open final.
“This court is very, very special to me, in a positive and a negative way. I had some of the toughest moments of my tennis career here. I was lying on this court with an injury that I didn’t know if I would ever come back from. I lost a Grand Slam final here.”
But this time, the memories were replaced by something greater.
“All of those memories for me, they’re not wiped out. They’re still with me, but this one will beat all of them.”
More importantly, Zverev knows this victory changes how his career will forever be remembered.
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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